SERMON I.

COLOSSIANS iii. 17.

Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

AMONG the refinements of later days, it has been the endeavour of many who profess themselves not altogether hostile to the cause of religion in general, to draw a distinction between speculative opinions and practical duties; attaching the utmost degree of indifference to the one, and resting the whole weight of moral obligation on the other. That such men are little acquainted with the complicated structure of the human mind, the close and indissoluble connection of the motive with the action, will clearly prove : that they are still less acquainted with the mighty scheme of Christian redemption, the whole tenor of those very Scriptures, whose truth they pretend to acknowledge, will as satisfactorily de

monstrate.

For what is conscience without a law? a blind

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doctrine which is inculwhich is enjoined upon tional Church, all emanate id commanding principle. a its proposition, but most ervading in its nature, is this pon which every duty rests, as ; upon which morality itself ry existence, "Whatsoever, ye do eed, do all in the name of the Lord hatever duties are to be enjoined by

and fallacious guide; an arbitrary and capricious judge. It is shaken from its seat by the turbulence of the passions, it is deluded by the visions of the fancy, it is stupified by the infatuation of habit. Even allowing the full force of a moral principle within the heart, that very force is derived from the idea, suggested by itself, of a moral Governor, and of obedience to his will; and how can that obedience be rendered, where either the will or the author of that will is unrevealed; or after such a revelation has been made, if it continue to be obscured by ignorance or perverted by misrepresentation? And yet this very knowledge of God and his will, as disclosed in mercy to a fallen and degraded creature, in order to point out the road of obedience and light, and with a view to cheer and support him in all his struggles with the powers of darkness, is termed by the wisdom of man, a system of "speculative opinions," to be entertained, or discarded, as caprice may dictate or fancy direct.

If then from the reason of the thing it appears, that no perfect and satisfactory obedience can be rendered to the great moral Governor of the universe, without that knowledge of himself, which he may have vouchsafed in the revelation of his will; still less can the Christian maintain, that any act of obedience will be accepted as

such by God, which is unconnected with those principles which he has declared essential to its existence. When not only the mode, but the motive of obedience, is prescribed from above, the wilful neglect of either must annul the action, and render nugatory its effect: it is no longer obedience, but presumption. where these principles are few in number, clear in their nature, and powerful in their influence, the greater is the neglect, the greater is the crime. From a farther consideration of this important point, it will appear,

And

First, That the Gospel, has prescribed a principle and motive of action, as essentially necessary to consecrate and to aid the performance of our several moral obligations, as Christians, as children of the adoption, as members of the universal Church.

Secondly, That every doctrine which is inculcated, and every duty which is enjoined upon us, as sons of our National Church, all emanate from this one high and commanding principle.

Simple indeed in its proposition, but most penetrating and pervading in its nature, is this one principle, upon which every duty rests, as upon its basis; upon which morality itself grounds its very existence, "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." Whatever duties are to be enjoined by